My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

Rachel set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone,

is so pretty,

motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut

on, Rae.” Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you

group, which happened to be a little girl in

the ‘Happy Birthday’

Rachel must close her eyes

must blow out

Julian that there was no need to

children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any of its

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice piped up

found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her

hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the

say thank you!” their parents instructed,

like that,

Rachel finally smiled

to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else. As

I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was dull

the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then.

turned and headed toward the

was inside her apartment and about

a loud slam, the door was propped

Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on

out on business?

explaining himself, he slid sideways into the house and shut the

see you’ve been

two steps back. Why

at her resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled

you wouldn’t want

her, forcing

idea what

and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the way